I have been reading for long enough… I now feel I can jump in and voice my opinion…
Ok let someone else come in and operate the line… Now hear me out…
A new concessionaire can come in, lay out the $1.5-2.5 million to get either the old C&S loco in Idaho Springs or the #9 going again and a few cars and things like tools etc to get going…Not likely! Line up the insurance that the State demands. And do all this in 6 months… Ok
lay that money out and only a 5 year contract to get it back and leave with nothing. Divide out the rides per year and what it will cost per ticket… Add labor costs, maint. etc… WOW no wonder no one has stepped up to the rails to run the next generation GLR. I can remember all the trips all over the world that the current owners have taken to try to locate railroad locos and cars. I hope some how the fence can be mended with the current operators. I grew up in Idaho Springs and worked 18 years in Georgetown hearing the train. I would hate to see it fade away again.